Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Rurally Screwed (Humpday Giveaway!!!)

Some blogs you go to because they make you inquisitive and speculative, offering contemplative morsels for rumination. Others you go to because they always have a good take-away something or other, whether that's a recipe for rye crumble bars or links to new (to you) artists. And then there are those you go to for a chuckle, a chortle, a guffaw, or an all-out belly laugh. Jessie Knadler and her blog, Rurally Screwed, get filed into the latter category.

I'm not sure how I found Jessie's blog. It was several years ago, and it was winter. Those are the specifics I recall with any degree of clarity. It doesn't really matter how I found her, though, because once I sampled her wry wit and outsider's take on life in the mountains of southern Virginia, I knew I'd be back. In Rurally Screwed, Jessie calls it like she sees it. Whether it's her daughter, her marriage, her husband, her town's citizens or herself she's got in her cross hairs, Jessie gives it to you straight. And it's always hilarious.

I'm super excited, then, to showcase Jessie's newest venture, Rurally Screwed: My Life Off the Grid With the Cowboy I Love. This is the tale of how this (at the time) Manhattan-based, designer label-wearing, Kundalini-practicing, hard-partying women's magazine editor met, fell in love with, and went on to marry Jake, a man who, at least on the surface, seems in every way her polar opposite. He's a Garth Brooks-listening, cowboy hat-wearing, church-going ranch hand and the two find salvation in each other at an untrained horse & bull-riding rodeo she's covering in Montana, her home state.

Since initially discovering her blog, Jessie and I have gone on to become cyberspace buddies. We've reviewed one another's books (Jessie also co-authored Tart & Sweet) and shared ink in two magazine articles. I think she's grand. She's brassy and ballsy and gutsy and every other superlative you can apply to a brave person. In her novel, she takes a very candid view of her marriage, her surroundings, and herself. She puts it all out there, which is truly admirable, given the subject matter and just how intensely personal it is. I applaud her for it. Her book is an absolute gem and she's a treasure for having the vim, vigor and gumption to share her story with the world.

In celebration of her book's launch (it officially publishes Tuesday, April 3rd, the same day my not-so-little-anymore sister, Theo, turns 21!!!), Jessie has graciously gifted me with a signed copy for one small measure reader. To be entered in the giveaway, simply leave a comment below. I'll randomly choose one winner next Wednesday, April 4th, midnight EST. In your comment, please leave a means of reaching you should you be the winner, via either a link back to your blog or website, or by leaving your email address in your comment.

Even if you don't end up winning the book, give it, and Jessie's blog, a read anyways. The woman knows how to keep you both enraptured and in stitches at the same time, dispensing one country-living observation and witticism after the other.

UPDATE: I love how much you all love Jessie! She's true blue, that one! The winner of a signed copy of Rurally Screwed is #91, Sage. Thank you everyone that entered, and congratulations, Sage!

I haven't heard of her but this sounds great! It also reminds me a little of another book called "The Dirty Life" which was a bet less on the funny side (but I still *loved* it). Off to check out her blog and hoping I win the book!

I'm a new-ish reader and really enjoy your posts. If I won, I'd pass the book on to my amazing daughter who is also married to a cowboy and living a rural life. Thanks for the tip on Jesse's blog. I'll have to check it out!

About Me

Making an attempt to craft a good life with my husband and young son in a small mountain community. I find pleasure in the light at dusk, atlases, hard cider, cat antics, dog breath, baby giggles, homemade ice cream and snorty laughter.
Author of the "Homemade Living" book series (Lark Books) which showcases topics related to small-scale homesteading and some of the diverse ways people are reconnecting with their food and food communities and taking up sustainable food practices.
I also host a bi-monthly column every Friday on Design*Sponge:http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/small-measures.
E-mail me directly at: ashleyadamsenglish(at)gmail.com.

The Best LIttle Chicken Coop in Candler

"The Big Problem is nothing more or less than the sum total of countless little everyday choices, most of them made by us and most of the rest of them made in the name of our needs and desires and preferences."-Michael Pollan